Creating a safe relationship between your child and dog

The relationship between a dog and child can be amazing, fostering a strong bond. For many, raising a child alongside a dog is a dream, but it also comes with risks. That's why it's crucial for you, as the adult, to always supervise your child and dog. Here’s what you need to know to minimise risks and ensure a safe upbringing for both.

How to create a safe relationship

There are risks when a dog and child grow up together, as they can accidentally hurt each other. It's vital that you, the responsible adult, ensure they both learn how to interact safely. This means your child needs to understand how dogs work, while you must gently familiarise the dog with the child.

The dog's body language

Dogs are individuals with varying comfort zones for how close humans and children can get. Their comfort zone might also differ around people they know, children, and strangers. When a dog feels uneasy, perhaps because a child is too close, hugging them, or moving erratically, they'll often give subtle signals to create distance. Dogs are excellent communicators with each other, but we humans don't always respect these cues. Learning these signals helps us intervene early when a dog seems uncomfortable.

How to tell when your dog is feeling uncomfortable

• Looking away

• Turning their head away

• Turning their body away from the child

• Becoming restless, fidgeting, and making themselves smaller

• Panting

• Yawning, licking their lips

• Stiffening and tightening their lips

• Trying to hide

If we ignore these signals, the dog may feel it needs to be more direct. The following shows a typical scenario where a dog is trying to increase its distance. Failing to heed early warnings can lead to the dog snapping at or biting the child.

• Averting eyes, head and body

• Stiffening and tightening their muzzle

• Growling

• Showing teeth

• Snapping

• Biting

Some dog breeds and individuals are less likely to growl, snap, or bite. They might show discomfort by walking away, fidgeting, or trying to appear smaller. It's important to respect these signals too. Understanding your dog's body language is key to preventing damage to the relationship between child and dog over time.

What to do if your dog shows these signals

As soon as you notice your dog displaying any signs of discomfort, remove the child from the situation and ask them to turn their back to the dog. Reflect on what happened to prevent a similar situation arising again. This shows respect for the dog, meaning they don't have to escalate their signals, and they feel you are in control.

Equip your child to understand dog signals

Your child can learn to understand dog signals and appropriate behaviour around animals. This can also foster greater empathy in your child, strengthening their understanding towards both animals and people.

Research shows positive outcomes for children who interact with animals and have pets while growing up, enhancing their social and emotional skills. However, it requires adult guidance every step of the way. You act as a protective and reassuring link between the child and the dog. Tailor your approach based on your child's age.

Young children and babies

• Always supervise when your child pets the dog

• Show your child how to pet the dog gently

• You can help your child by guiding their hand for gentle petting

• Reinforce good behaviour with plenty of praise and encouragement when your child handles the dog well

• For the safety of both the dog and child, always step in if your child misbehaves, such as chasing, pulling fur, or getting too close when the dog clearly wants space (as indicated by the signals above).

• If you have an adult dog when your baby arrives, let the dog explore the new family member at its own pace. Most dogs are gentle with babies and small children, allowing for a good relationship to be built from the start.
  

Older children

• For older children, start by explaining why certain behaviours, like pulling a dog's fur, chasing, or hitting, are not acceptable, and discuss the potential consequences if they don't respect the dog. Children at this age can begin to reason.

• Spend time with your child interpreting the dog's signals together. Explain when the dog is showing signs of wanting distance and learn about canine body language as a team.

• Then, help your child consider why the dog might be signalling in certain ways. Ask questions like, "Why do you think the dog is growling/turning away now?" or "How would you feel if you wanted to be left alone and someone kept bothering you?" This helps them understand that these are the dog's ways of communicating. Your child will learn that such behaviour towards the dog is unacceptable, and you can explore the dog's perspective together.

Children and dogs can form incredibly special, long-lasting relationships, but it takes effort. Remember, as the parent, you hold the ultimate responsibility, acting as the 'interpreter' or bridge between these two beings learning to communicate and connect. Set a good example and repeat these lessons consistently," says Ida Svensson, child psychologist.

If an accident occurs

Despite your best efforts to prevent misunderstandings, accidents can happen. If your child is bitten by a dog and the skin is broken, seek medical attention immediately. A bite from a dog or other pet can lead to infection within hours.

Here’s what to do if your child is bitten through the skin:

Clean the wound thoroughly with water and mild soap, then seek immediate medical attention for potential antibiotic treatment.
If your child isn't up-to-date with their tetanus vaccination, go straight to a paediatric clinic. Children over one usually have this as part of their routine jabs, but do check they are protected.

If the bite doesn't break the skin, wash it with soap and water and monitor the scratch for any signs of infection.

Give it time and patience

To build the lifelong relationship you desire, remember that learning takes time for both child and dog. They won't become best friends after just one session. Take it one day at a time, acknowledge good choices your child makes, and gently remind them of what you've discussed. Lead by example to show how to behave, ensuring both child and dog feel safe and reducing the risk of accidents. Over time, your child will become more adept at respecting the dog's body language, leading to many exciting and safe experiences for your future best friends.